Pedestrians in Bike Lanes

Question

Susan asked: My question has to do with cycling on a marked bike lane within a gated community that has a golf course and golf carts are also riding in the bike lane. The lane is specifically marked as a bike lane but I have recently been confused as to why pedestrians that I have encountered, who are walking toward me in the bike lane, and who are walking next to each other (two to three people across), will not move over into a single file line. I have to go onto the roadway since they will not move into a single file line to allow me to stay in the bike lane. Is it legal for pedestrians on either a sidewalk or bike lane to walk next to each other (2-3 people across) and not move behind one another to allow my lane of travel to be free?

Answer

If your community is private property, there may be local regulations that are different since private communities can write and enforce their own rules. See Dwight’s comment.

Generally speaking, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk, no matter how they are walking.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(9)A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

(10)A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.